Youth Academy

Director:  Tony Cardenas

Winter Youth Academy Invitation

U6 – U10 NWI United FC Youth Academy

In the fall of 2008 NWI United FC introduced a new component to their club program: the NWI United FC Youth Academy. The club coaches will have the ability to pass on their knowledge and passion for the game to the very youngest players. Our youth development program is a vital factor in our club's continuing success. As coaches and educators, we are well aware of the importance of providing a solid foundation for young players. The future development and success of a young player depends on receiving correct and relevant information at an early age. We have designed a curriculum that emphasizes age-specific technical skills combined with tactical decision-making to ensure the right information is received at the appropriate age level. In the coming season, we have strengthened our coaching staff to make certain our club becomes a state leader in this essential area of player development.

NWI United FC provides the developmental bridge between rec + soccer and competitive soccer for players in Northwest Indiana. The Academy provides players the opportunity to work with coaches that coach NWI United teams at the select level. Playing with the NWI United FC Academy in no way commits you to joining the NWI United FC Soccer Club. Participating in the Academy program is an experience for YOUR player’s development

Youth Academy Features:

·         Age groups for U6, U7,U8, U9 and U10 players (boys and girls)

·         8-week season in fall; 8-week season in spring

·         2 instructional sessions per week (held in Chesterton)

·         NWI United FC teaching curriculum, which has produced some of the state's best players.

·         Ratio of players to coach will be less than 10 to 1.

·         Academy Night at a Valparaiso University Varsity Soccer Game, honoring the NWI United FC Youth Academy participants at halftime.

·         Optional winter academy training program from January through February at an additional cost.

Head Coaches:

·         Tony Cardenas (U10 NWI United Boys, NWI United FC Youth Program Director)

·         Luis Prato (U11 NWI United Boys, U17 NWI United Girls)

·         John Marovich (Valparaiso University Women’s Coach, Region II ODP Coach)

·         Dan Cardenas (NWI United Academy, Portage Soccer Club U10 Boys)

·         Heather Clark (NWI United Academy, VU Women’s Asst. Coach)

Cost:

Cost will be $100 for the spring season and will include all training costs including 2 training t-shirts. There will be no year long registrations; cost for the spring season will also be $100. Priority for spring registrations will be given to fall participants.

Age Eligibility:

Children eligible for the youth academy are those children born between 8-1-1998 and 7-31-2003. A child born on or before 7-31-1998 is too old for the youth academy. A child born on or after 8-1-2003 is too young for the youth academy.

The Academy teams are divided into 5 age divisions:

Under 10 (born between August 1, 1998 and July 31, 1999)
Under 9   (born between August 1, 1999 and July 31, 2000)
Under 8   (born between August 1, 2000 and July 31, 2001)
Under 7   (born between August 1, 2001 and July 31, 2002)
Under 6   (born between August 1, 2002 and July 31, 2003)

Ability Groups:

While the youth academy invites interested players from the age of U6 through U8, we will group players of similar abilities regardless of age. Therefore, boys and girls may be intermixed and younger players may work with slightly older players. These groups will not be "set in stone," and they will not be devised in an overly competitive fashion.

Schedule:

It will tentatively be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays in Chesterton and other select locations. On occasion, we will meet with the academy groups in neighboring communities for friendly games. On those evenings, the time and location may change slightly. We will also schedule two “Soccer Festivals” in the fall where we will play inter-academy games or games against other club academies. Finally, we will hold an Academy Night at Valparaiso University’s Women’s game versus the University of Michigan. This will allow the kids to see a quality soccer game and be honored on the field at halftime.

Team manager for the 2009-2010 Youth Academy is Nancy Nielsen.  Nancy can be reached for questions about the academy program at nielsens5@comcast.net.

If you have questions, please email Tony at YouthProgram@nwiunitedfc.com.